Oncogene Science Inc. announced Tuesday that it has signed anagreement with Aston Molecules Ltd., which will perform medicinalchemistry work on lead compounds that Oncogene has identified forthe treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and HIV.

Aston, which is based in the United Kingdom, will modify thecompounds to improve their desirable characteristics. These are thefirst lead compounds identified in Oncogene's proprietary drugdevelopment program. Other compounds under development havecome from the Uniondale, N.Y., company's collaborative agreementswith pharmaceutical companies. Oncogene said its transforminggrowth factor, (TGF)-beta 3, should go into clinical trials this year.Developed under an agreement with Ciba-Geigy Ltd. and Pfizer Inc.,TGF-beta 3 will be the company's first compound to enter clinicals(see BioWorld, Aug. 13, 1993). -- Brenda Sandburg

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